Buhari wades into Edo Apc crisis

There were indications yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari may have directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal to interface with stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state with a view to resolving the crisis in the party.

Sources close to the party said the President has asked the SGF to meet with all the aspirants in the last governorship primary and other stakeholders within 24 hours.

The primary which was held on June 18 and won by Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is being challenged by two of the aspirants, who alleged irregularities in the conduct of the primary.

In his petitions to the Appeal Committee, Chris Ogiemwonyi alleged over voting, while Imansuagbon claimed that the primary was rigged electronically.

The two aggrieved aspirants have threatened to go to court, if it fails to nullify the primary

The source said: “The two aggrieved aspirants are waiting the recommendation of the committee, threatening to go to court and work against the party in the event of any last minutes endorsement”.

The Chairman of the Primary Committee and governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, who was invited by the committee, was represented by a Director at the National Secretariat of the party.

In his report to the party leadership, Masari noted the division in the chapter during primary and called for reconciliation.

He said the party needed unity and harmony to retain Edo State.

Masari feared that the chapter risked a post-primary crisis, if efforts were not made to resolve the crisis triggered by the contest.

He urged party leaders to wade into the feud, stressing that delay could be dangerous.

The Chairman of the Appeal Committee, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, said that the committee was compiling its recommendations, adding that the stakeholders met with the committee members and made oral presentations.

He, however, denied knowledge of the proposed meeting between the aspirants and the SGF.